After School Programs
These programs take place at your school. They can be scheduled for
any day of the week, based on your needs. Most programs are five weeks
in length, although there are a few that vary in length. There are five
program periods, September – October, November – December,
February – March, March – April and May – June. Each
session is 90 minutes.
Fee: $125/session Billing is done through the regular
BOCES billing.
September – October
SAM FRIB (grades K – 3, five weeks)
SAM who? Each week, with the help of furs, skulls, live animals, games
and activities, students will be introduced to a different component
of the acronym, SAM FRIB, (spiders, amphibians, mammals, fish, reptiles,
insects and birds). By the end of the five weeks, students will be
an encyclopedia of wildlife, ecology and ecosystems facts that only
SAM FRIB can teach them!
Insects: Incredible Creatures (grades K – 3, five
weeks)
Did you know that there are more insects on this planet than people?
In fact, they are the largest group of animals on the planet! But
why do people fear them? They are incredibly adaptive and ingenious
and humans have learned from their ingenuity for thousands of years!
Every week, through live insects, specimens, games and activities,
students will be introduced to common and uncommon insects, learn
how humans have emulated them and the important role they play here
on earth.
Naturalist in Training (grades K – 6, five weeks)
Perfect for the amateur naturalist and science enthusiast! An introduction
to shrubs, trees, insects, animals and more! Through field trips around
the school yard, games and other activities, our naturalists in training
will learn the art of identification, adaptations and habitats.
Park Clean-Up (grades 3 – 12 two Saturdays)
Make a difference close to home! This two Saturday program is great
for both parents and kids as all work together to keep our common
park areas clean. Learn to spot the differences between trash, reusable
garbage, and compostable materials. You’ll be surprised to discover
how much garbage isn’t ready for the landfill yet! (Saturday
programs are not eligible for state aid.)
Fearsome Predators: Separating Fact from Fallacy (grades
3 – 7, five weeks)
Who is afraid of the big bad wolf?! Using pelts, skulls, pictures
and live animals, students will learn about wolves and other predators
while they examine myths and fears surrounding them. They will learn
how to separate facts from fallacies and come to understand the critical
role predators play in their ecosystems.
Raptors Around Us (grades 3 – 8, five weeks)
Take an exciting and entertaining look at the adaptations of birds
of prey found here in New York State. Through the use of hands-on
activities and live animals and specimens, students will learn the
history of raptors, people and the land as they gain a greater understanding
of birds and the predator-prey relationship.
Navigation Know-How (grades 4 – 6, five weeks)
Learn to use important tools of navigation in this beginners orienteering
program. After learning about the parts of the compass, students will
reinforce their knowledge by playing a series of compass games. They
will then learn how to set up simple compass and orienteering trails.
By the end of the course, the group will have set up a number of trails
that can be used by others in the school. In addition, participants
will work with maps and mapping techniques to create a map of their
very own. Finally, they will have the opportunity to work with a GPS
unit.
November - December
Fearsome Predators: Separating Fact from Fallacy (grades
3 – 7, five weeks)
Who is afraid of the big bad wolf?! Using pelts, skulls, pictures
and live animals, students will learn about wolves and other predators
while they examine myths and fears surrounding them. They will learn
how to separate facts from fallacies and come to understand the critical
role predators play in their ecosystems.
Raptors Around Us (grades 3 – 8, five weeks)
Take an exciting and entertaining look at the adaptations of birds
of prey found here in New York State. Through the use of hands-on
activities and live animals and specimens, students will learn the
history of raptors, people and the land as they gain a greater understanding
of birds and the predator-prey relationship.
Earth to Mars JASON Expedition (grades 5 – 9, four
weeks/fall and four weeks/winter)
PART I: Observe real scientists doing real research
that applies to you and your neighborhood in another exciting JASON
expedition! Started by Bob Ballard, the famous scientist who uncovered
the Titanic, the JASON expedition brings science to kids in a whole
new way. This year JASON Argonauts will be exploring habitats on Earth
that resemble the planet Mars. Participants will be involved in live
and on-line experiments and labs, related activities, on-line chats
(when available) and a research project that will result in the development
of an exhibit for the January ‘06 JASON exhibit room.
January Only
Earth to Mars JASON Expedition (grades 5 – 9, four
weeks/fall and four weeks/winter)
PART II: Working together, participants will research
and develop a hands-on, interactive exhibit for the January ‘06
JASON exhibit room.
February – March
Sugaring off in the Maple Moon (grades 3 – 8,
four weeks)
Do you mean syrup doesn’t come from an Aunt Jemima bottle? No
one will want Aunt Jemima’s after this program! After learning
about the history of maple sugaring, participants will learn how to
identify, tap and collect from one or more sugar maple trees on their
school grounds. Once enough sap is collected, they will boil it and
enjoy their sweet reward!
Snowshoeing Adventure (grades 2 – 8, two weeks)
Snowshoeing is a winter adventure for students of all ages! This two-part
program will include a history of snowshoeing and lessons in how to
walk in snowshoe. They will also have the opportunity to get outside
and explore the school grounds and play some games on a pair of snowshoes!
The Birdhouse Network (grades 4 – 8, three weeks/February
& three weeks/May)
PART I: A science based research program from the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, students will place and monitor birdhouses
to observe the species and numbers of birds that use them. The data
that is collected will become part of the Lab of Ornithology database
used by bird biologists throughout the country. This program not only
creates habitats for our resident birds, but also involves hands-on
research while incorporating other educational opportunities.
March – April
SAM FRIB (grades K – 3, five weeks)
SAM who? Each week, with the help of furs, skulls, live animals, games
and activities, students will be introduced to a different component
of the acronym, SAM FRIB, (spiders, amphibians, mammals, fish, reptiles,
insects and birds). By the end of the five weeks, students will be
an encyclopedia of wildlife, ecology and ecosystems facts that only
SAM FRIB can teach them!
Insects: Incredible Creatures (grades K – 3, five
weeks)
Did you know that there are more insects on this planet than people?
In fact, they are the largest group of animals on the planet! But
why do people fear them? They are incredibly adaptive and ingenious
and humans have learned from their ingenuity for thousands of years!
Every week, through live insects, specimens, games and activities,
students will be introduced to common and uncommon insects, learn
how humans have emulated them and the important role they play here
on earth.
Raptors Around Us (grades 3 – 8, five weeks)
Take an exciting and entertaining look at the adaptations of birds
of prey found here in New York State. Through the use of hands-on
activities and live animals and specimens, students will learn the
history of raptors, people and the land as they gain a greater understanding
of birds and the predator-prey relationship.
May – June
Naturalist in Training (grades K – 6, five weeks)
Perfect for the amateur naturalist and science enthusiast! An introduction
to shrubs, trees, insects, animals and more! Through field trips around
the school yard, games and other activities, our naturalists in training
will learn the art of identification, adaptations and habitats.
Park Clean-Up (grades 3 – 12 two Saturdays)
Make a difference close to home! This two Saturday program is great
for both parents and kids as all work together to keep our common
park areas clean. Learn to spot the differences between trash, reusable
garbage, and compostable materials. You’ll be surprised to discover
how much garbage isn’t ready for the landfill yet! (Saturday
programs are not eligible for state aid.)
Fearsome Predators: Separating Fact from Fallacy (grades
3 – 7, five weeks)
Who is afraid of the big bad wolf?! Using pelts, skulls, pictures
and live animals, students will learn about wolves and other predators
while they examine myths and fears surrounding them. They will learn
how to separate facts from fallacies and come to understand the critical
role predators play in their ecosystems.
Raptors Around Us (grades 3 – 8, five weeks)
Take an exciting and entertaining look at the adaptations of birds
of prey found here in New York State. Through the use of hands-on
activities and live animals and specimens, students will learn the
history of raptors, people and the land as they gain a greater understanding
of birds and the predator-prey relationship.
Navigation Know-How (grades 4 – 6, five weeks)
Learn to use important tools of navigation in this beginners orienteering
program. After learning about the parts of the compass, students will
reinforce their knowledge by playing a series of compass games. They
will then learn how to set up simple compass and orienteering trails.
By the end of the course, the group will have set up a number of trails
that can be used by others in the school. In addition, participants
will work with maps and mapping techniques to create a map of their
very own. Finally, they will have the opportunity to work with a GPS
unit.
The Birdhouse Network (grades 4 – 8, three weeks/February
& three weeks/May)
PART II: A science based research program from the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, students will place and monitor birdhouses
to observe the species and numbers of birds that use them. The data
that is collected will become part of the Lab of Ornithology database
used by bird biologists throughout the country. This program not only
creates habitats for our resident birds, but also involves hands-on
research while incorporating other educational opportunities.
Birdwatching With a Purpose: Project Feedwatcher (grades
2 – 5 five weeks)
AVAILABLE NOVEMBER - MARCH ONLY
Become part of a worldwide research project just by watching the birds
at your feeder! This program, created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology,
allows anyone to compile their own observation data and send it to
the lab! This program combines a love of science and a fascination
with birds!
Creepy Crawly Critters (grades 5 – 9, four weeks/fall
and four weeks/winter)
Get out your magnifying glasses, bug boxes and sweep nets in preparation
to learn all about the creepy crawly critters that we love to hate!
Students will get up close and personal with spiders, insects, snakes
and more as we dispel some of the nasty rumors surrounding these animals.
In this indoor/outdoor program, students will explore natural habitats
in search of these animals.
To request a program contact Chris Hendershot at chendershot@pnwboces.org
